Four questions for Theresa Sims
Trade show booth spreads U.S. World War One Centennial Commission message
By Erica Goldaber
Staff Writer
Theresa Sims is the Director of Strategic Relations for the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission.
1. What are the main goals of the booth effort?
The main goal of the booth outreach is to create awareness about the World War One Centennial Commission’s efforts to honor and memorialize the 4.7 million who served and the 116,516 who gave their lives for our great nation. This effort allows one on one contact to help educate senior leaders, decision makers, and citizens about the Great Sacrifice and the War to End all Wars. It also creates public awareness, interest, and support for the future National Memorial for World War I at Pershing Park. Given that we’re a few months ahead of the 100 year anniversary of President Wilson’s “Call to Arms” in April 6, 2017, we are handing out Flanders poppy seeds packets as a reminder to “plant the seeds to remember” the upcoming commemoration of U.S. entry to WW1.
2. How successful is the booth in achieving its goal(s)?
The booth has been very successful in achieving its goals, particularly in educating the public and government sectors. During the period of August to September, 2016 through 4 outreach events we connected with more than 10,000 visitors in person and thousands of impressions in social media, and met about 150 senior leaders who will help with our efforts in many ways. We also strengthened existing relationships with Veteran Service Organizations like the American Legion, VFW, and Disabled American Veterans, as well as the defense sector such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, L3 Communications, Rolls-Royce, and AECOM to name a few. In fact, since August, the WW1 Centennial Commission team staffed booths at the American Legion Annual Meeting in Cincinnati; George Washington 9-11 Patriot Day Annual Run, at Mount Vernon, VA; Air Force Association Air, Space, and Cyber Convention in National Harbor, Maryland; and Library of Congress National Book Festival, DC Convention Center. Look for us next week at the Association of United States Army Annual Meeting, October, 3rd-5th, in Washington, DC.
General John J. Pershing with a Boeing aircraft at the Air Force Association Air Space and Cyber Convention on September 21, 2016, National Harbor, Maryland. And, we’re collecting stories. Many visitors have enthralled with stories about relatives who served in WW1 which helps strengthen our collective Commission narrative. We’ve also been able to connect to world historical thought leaders. For example, last Saturday at the Library of Congress 2016 National Book Festival, the WW1CC staff and interns Josh Venuti and Ryan Brushingham got to meet Ken Burns!
3. How do people perceive the booth?
One of the most exciting aspects of our booth outreach at events and conventions is the enthusiastic reception we receive by visitors. Thousands have stopped by the booth and chatted with our interns, volunteers, and subject matter experts, Rich Shaffer, David Hamon, Jim Boyle, and David W. Shuey (a.k.a. General “Black Jack” Pershing) about a variety of topics ranging from Stories of Service, education newsletters, WW1 books, 100 Cities // 100 Memorials, our website resources (ww1cc.org/tools) DDuring the National Book Festival, Dr. Mitch Yockelson, author of the book, 47 Days and leading WWI1 expert took a shift at the booth to answer questions from festival goers.
4. What is the most effective way to get people to check out the booth?
We use every means possible to attract people to the booth including: social media @ww1cc for Twitter, Facebook; displaying authentic World War One artifacts; and giving away Flanders poppy seeds. The most successful way to get people’s interest is the poppy seeds packets.
Erica Goldaber is a Fall 2016 Summer Interns at the World War One Centennial Commission.
United States Air Force General Ellen Pawlikowski and General John J. Pershing at the Air Force Association Air Space and Cyber Convention on September 21, 2016. 
Interns Josh Venuti and Ryan Brushingham, Theresa Sims, WW1CC Director of Strategic Relations, and award winning American documentary filmmaker Ken Burns at the Library of Congress National Book Festival on September 24, 2016. 
Historical reenactors Josef Olmar and Jeremy Bowles with 96-year old Thomas Hughes at the American Legion Conference in Cincinnati, OH on August 28, 2016. Hughes was awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Bronze Star for his heroic service during WWII. Hughes is a 70-year member of American Legion Post #633 in Seaman, Ohio and a charter member of that group. 
Theresa Sims, World War One Centennial Commission Director of Strategic Relations, Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP; and Jill McInerney, World War One Centennial Commission Intern at the Library of Congress National Book Festival on September 24, 2016. 
Intern Ryan Brushingham dressed as a WW1 soldier interacting with visitors at the Commission’s booth at the Library of Congress National Book Festival on September 24, 2016. 
Jeremy Bowles, historical reenactor; WWICC Commissioner Tom Moe; Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams; Theresa Sims, WWICC Director of Strategic Relations at the American Legion Conference in Cincinnati, OH on August 28, 2016. 
Incoming American Legion Auxiliary President Mary E. Davis; Outgoing American Legion Auxiliary President Sharon Conatser; World War One Centennial Commission Executive Director Daniel Dayton; WW1CC Director of Strategic Relations Theresa Sims at the American Legion Conference in Cincinnati, OH on August 28, 2016. 
Washington D.C. Executive Director at American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters, Carol Lindamood Harlow; World War One Centennial Project Manager at the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, Susan Mennenga; Historical reenactor Jeremy Bowles; World War One Centennial Commission Director of Strategic Relations, Theresa Sims at the American Legion Conference in Cincinnati, OH on August 28, 2016. 
John Shanahan, Commander of American Legion Department of France; Volunteer historical reenactor David W. Shuey as General John J. Pershing at the American Legion Conference in Cincinnati, OH on August 28, 2016. 
World War One Centennial Commission’s booth featuring Flanders Poppy seed packets at the George Washington 9-11 Patriot Run on the Mount Vernon Estate on September 11, 2016.
Runners at the George Washington 9-11 Patriot Run on the Mount Vernon Estate on September 11, 2016.
